Fan favorites will be back at yearly Elvisfest in Ypsilanti

File: Alan Warren, The Ann Arbor NewsTribute artist Chris Solano has become a favorite at the annual Michigan Elvisfest in Ypsilanti.

For six years, Chris Solano has brought his moves and voice to the Michigan Elvisfest in Ypsilanti, becoming a favorite at the annual event.

This year, Solano, an Ann Arbor resident, will give fans and participants an additional thrill. He is hosting the gospel hour and will reach into his music repertoire to sing Buddy Holly songs during the 2008 Michigan Elvisfest in Riverside Park on Friday and Saturday.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," said Solano, who is a supervisor in the Wayne-Westland Community Schools district. "I'm looking forward to it."

The event, among the largest Elvis festivals in North America, will feature tribute artists of different ages, sizes and genders. It's expected to attract about 10,000 fans of the legendary rock 'n' roll singer.

Festival director Mary Decker said Ryan Pelton, who was picked to play the role of Elvis Presley in the new movie "Hounddog," is scheduled to perform Saturday.

Other entertainers include Chris Ayotte of Canton and national impersonators, including a girl from Georgia and a boy from Illinois. The festival extends beyond the Elvis classics to include music by the Beatles, Tom Jones and Roy Orbison.

Michigan ElvisfestWhat: A celebration of all things Elvis, with performances by a number of tribute artists.

Where: Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.

When: Friday and Saturday.

Admission: $15 Friday and $20 Saturday at the gate. Advance tickets are $5 less. Children under 12 free.

Solano, who grew up in Royal Oak listening to Elvis songs and dancing in his living room, was a contestant at the 2001 Elvisfest and has been part of the festival since. He sings songs that were popular from 1954 to 1960, and practices for every event, he said.

The event also includes a raffle to benefit Ypsilanti Wheels on Meals, door prizes, Elvis memorabilia and festival gear. The Ypsilanti VFW Post 2408 will be collecting phone cards to send to U.S. troops overseas, and organizers are holding a salute to the troops on Friday.

On Saturday, the event will feature a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 31st anniversary of Elvis' death, a gospel hour, classic cars and a children's area with carnival games.